When comparing OpenTTD vs Battle for Wesnoth, the Slant community recommends OpenTTD for most people. In the question“What are the best LAN party PC games?” OpenTTD is ranked 5th while Battle for Wesnoth is ranked 20th. The most important reason people chose OpenTTD is:
You can't go wrong with a game that has no purchase cost. Even better the user can contribute to the project or even use the code for their own, as the game is open-source.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro Free and open-source
You can't go wrong with a game that has no purchase cost. Even better the user can contribute to the project or even use the code for their own, as the game is open-source.
Pro Still actively being developed
There are regular updates still being released for the game, meaning regular bug fixes as well as added features on a consistent basis.
Pro Allows for a lot of railway design creativity
You can build massive and complicated rail networks in the game, giving the player the freedom to come up with their own solutions and crazy designs.
Pro Tons of mods to download
There are many existing mods for the game, which can greatly extend the gameplay beyond that of the stock game.
Pro Very addictive - hard to walk away from when your little world is running
Especially if you're playing with some friends, this game is very enthralling (Heroes of Might and Magic 2 was similar, even though a very different game).
Pro Easily accessible multiplayer
It has built in multiplayer for LAN or online play, which makes it easy for the player to find and create online matches.
Pro Significant enhancements from the original game
- Stable multiplayer mode for up to 255 players in 15 companies, or as spectators
- Dedicated server mode and an in-game console for administration
- In game downloading of new content and game mechanics
Pro Convenient built in mod download interface
This allows the user to easily browse and download new mods for the game from within the game itself.
Pro Infinite possibilities
You seem to never run out of things to do in this game!
Pro Great graphics
Easily one of the most beautiful FOSS TBS games around.
Pro Endless replayability
A large assortment of maps, classes, units and campaigns. Community addons available ingame for download, as well as a random map generator.
Pro The strategy for individual campaigns really forces you to think through available strengths and weaknesses, especially given the hex-based terrain
Pro Well established
BfW has been around since 2003 and is a firm favourite within the FOSS community.
Pro Active development
BfW gets updated frequently.
Pro Multilingual
Dozens of languages available to choose from.
Pro Single-player and multi-player
Battle it out against the game's advanced bots or go the online/hotseat route.
Pro Unique play style
The unique combination of LoC, hex-based map, terrain defence and movement, and map type, with damage types and resistances varying between units, gives a refreshingly unique play style.
Pro Immersing storyline
BfW comes with an entire lore which adds depth and variety to the playing experience.
Pro Even portable
Has a portable version
Pro Hotseat mode
Great to play with friends
Pro Consistent storyline
Cons
Con Can be complicated to play for a beginner
For those unfamiliar with this style of game, there is a lot to learn in order to be competent at the gameplay. Some tutorials online should help, but it is a time investment some may not want to spend on the game.
Con Micromanagement is a bit too much
You have to either use glitches or really make all your decisions right.
Con Can be boring when playing alone
Due to the length of the win conditions and how long it takes to achieve things in the game, it can get a bit boring after much time spent. This is also true of the stock gameplay element, while mods can definitely help, what comes with the game out of the box can get old after a while.
Con Graphics are small on high res displays
When playing this game on a high resolution screen the game will look small and dense, which may be irritating that it does not scale to ones resolution as it can be difficult to read the text or see what is going on. However, in the settings one can set the UI scaling to 2x to make it much easier to tell what is going on.
Con The sounds drive you insane
You sit down to play the game for a slight bit of time, you get your headphones on and get blasted with BEEEEP and GJHHHH including VSHHH and DING DING DING DING WOOOSHHH too.
Con Online does not work cross versions
Old versions can't play online or LAN with newer versions of the game. So for those that prefer using an older version, or just have not updated, they will have to make sure those they want to play with online have the exact same version (or one that is compatible).
Con Dated and boring game mechanics
Over simplistic and repetitive.
Con Doesn't explain game mechanics well
Battle mechanics, job changes when leveling up, and traits/skills are not explained outright. However, there is in-game help which you can refer to.
Con No simultaneous multiplayer mode
This limits player counts, map sizes and a really simultaneous mode is the only truly acceptable mode for a modern turn-based multiplayer game. Should have been part of the game years ago. Maybe the engine is not suitable for it.
Con Non well documented Add-ons
I'm currently stuck on 'The Chosen Glade' stage of the Rebirth in Nature add-on, with a lot of essence(s) and souls to convert to points for upgrades; should I find the way out of there for Aucrin of course.
Con Takes too much CPU/RAM resources
Too much does not mean you can't run it with a decen computer, but still, it's way too heavy for the result. Hint: using maps of vectors of strings is a bad idea.